The Osceola times., 1887-02-19
WICKED RED DAM"
His Bold Escapade and It's Good
y consequences.

"Oh. my birdl my poor Danny, come
back to mer'
The appeal is made by young girl
E who stands in the open window of a
four-story building overlooking a mar
4row court. A llaxen-haired beauty she
& is, with large, lustrous gray eyes. frank,
4 somewhat childish countenance that
z bears the mark of close confinement
# and unceasing toll. A white apron
covers the front of a neat-fitting print
4 dress, with no ornament at throat or
wrists, since Susan Slayne is only a
Sewing girl, and it requires all her
Ncapabilitics to make both ends meet
Fwithout indulging herself in luxuries
Nthat most women's hearts regard as
snecessaries of life. Day in and day out
Little Susie tolls at her machine for the
great firm of Grind & Keep, shirt
makers and furnishing goods manufac-
tturers. Not a companion has Susie
save Red Dan, the wild robin her
brother Jack gave her two years before
she left her country home to seek her
fortune in the great city. Orphaned at
sixteen; driven from home by adverse
circumstances, with brother Jack at
pea, Susie sought employment and
Sound it where, by practicing the ut
most economy, she manages to keep
boul and body together and retain Red
Dan by her for company. BY accident
the door of the cage falls open and Red
Dan takes advantage of the situation
b hop to the window-sill. Susie sees
fhe movement and springs from her
chair in alarm.
mo. no; Danny must not 60 out
there."
y But the robin, with glad chirp,
spreads his wings and is gone out into
the sunny air that is fast becoming
crisp with the near close of the autumn
day. And there in the window stood
poor Susie, wringing her pink hands,
N an attitude of complete despair. Be-
low sounded step. The girl does not
heed the sound. She is oblivious to ev-
cry thing but the bird, which has found
d perch across the court. on the roof Of
. sharp gable at least sixty feet dis
Glnt.
Hello! What's the trouble, Susiep"
AT sound of this voice the girl glances
downward to see stalwart youth
crossing the court He has passed un-
Ger her window and is looking upward.
my bird, Danny" articulates she.
pointing across the way and upward.
The young man seems TO understand.
He disappears, and in little time
BANDS beside Susie, who is calling to
the bird in a vain effort to attract the
3eathered songster's attentions; but
master robin refuses to be beguiled
back to his prison. He is now free.
Be plumes himself, and gazes about
With the air of one fully aware of the
Ruth. Poor Susie calls in vain. All!
Door heart! she will be indeed lonely
Without Red Dan for companion.
Dear. dear, murmured the girl. How
provoking you are, Danny, to leave me
%. You are lost now, and will never
oomc back!"
There is a sob in the poor girls voice
hat seems to touch the heart of the
utrong-limbed youth at her side.
wait" he says, Permit me to try
NY persuasive powers on Red Dan. |
0ink he remembers my voice"
Leaning far out and forming tunnel
o. his hands, he calls gently, coaxingly,
the name of the obstinate robin. First
low and soft, then, perceiving that this
has no effect, raising his voice TO a
higher, less musical key. The bird is
not to be coaxed or wbeedled. He hops
Along the ridge of the steep slate roof,
and seems to mock at the grief of his
poor little mistress.
'Oh, Dan, Dan, my poor fellowr'
moans the girl, still wringing her
ptetty, pink hands.
Her companion starts, and bit Of
red steals into his smooth, sunbrowned
oheeks. His brown eyes, honess and
tull of frank light, regard the bowed
llttle figure, and his broad chest
koaves.
"Poor DAMP
Once that expression had been ut
tered regarding himself, and then it
DOpnded so strange, coming from the
Ups of sweet Susie Slayne.
Dan Hurlock straightens his rather
Slonder form, and bending low, says
s1ddenly: Don't cry for the naughty
.r0bin, Susie, l will get him for YOU"
He waits not for further converse but
gpoeds from the room. Dan is skill
tuIclimber. and he has formed des-
porate resolve. Brushing aside her
tsars Susie leans her pretty face on her
hand and watches the movement of the
bird. Occasionally she calls his name,
but he continued to remain oblivious of
~ girls presence, cunning fellow.
NJ roof opposite is after the gothic,
~ very steep, much higher than the
b3tek that SUSIE occupies. IL covers
"a main building of a boys school.
ond the sewing girl has often watched
~ movements in the rooms opposite
ond wondered il she would ever be able
complete the education begun in the
Rge school years before.
pddenly she starts and lifts her
ty chin from her palm. She sees
bsss hesd q mani itieuot thvswn